Mtgy. Councilman Says Downtown Amphitheater Not Making Enough Money
The Montgomery Riverwalk Amphitheater was built in the early 2000s and while the outdoor venue has brought in some big name talent, some city councilmen don’t believe it’s bringing in as much money as it should.
Tens of millions of dollars was spent on the downtown Riverwalk and amphitheater about a decade ago and some people would like to start seeing a return on that investment.
It’s a beautiful facility situated in a prime location. The Riverwalk Amphitheater just off the Alabama River has hosted big name talent in the past like Casting Crowns, Frankie Beverly and Maze and even Willie Nelson. But Montgomery City Councilman C.C. Calhoun says recently, the venue hasn’t seen much action.
“We’ve spent a lot of money down here to just let it sit,” he says. “We promote first Monday movies and different things. The city is promoting a lot of things down here but it’s not drawing revenue. And I think it needs to be a revenue generating facility.”
In the city’s recently passed budget, the amphitheater is projected to make 15 thousand dollars this year. It costs a little more than 3 thousand to rent, so that means the city is estimating just five acts will pay to use the venue. Tom Pierce with the Special Events Department says the city used to put on concerts but lost a lot of money in doing so. Now, sponsors help pay for events, like Second Saturday.
“None of the money comes out of the general fund to support those events,” he says. “So it’s one of the reasons we have not put on concerts, is because that’s where that money is coming from and it’s a risky business.”
Pierce says the city does not want to gamble with tax payer money to throw events is now talking with a promoter who can bring in more talent. There’s seating for around 6000 thousand people and Calhoun says the venue should be making the city money.
“15 thousand dollars is just, it’s minimal from what we can make,” he says. “We should be charging 15 thousand dollars per concert or per rental.”
And Montgomery residents agree, they’d like to see the amphitheater being used more.
“I think it’s a waste of space if it’s not being used,” says Trenholm student Abby Williams.
“This is partially a college town because you have ASU right across the street so I’m sure if you bring in some nice popular artists, they would make a ton of money,” says student Ashleigh Worthington.
